A "wellness check" in Alaska can refer to a few different things: 1. **Police/Law Enforcement Welfare Check:** This is when you're concerned about someone's immediate safety or well-being and you can't reach them. You request that law enforcement go to their location to ensure they are okay. 2. **Medical/Preventative Wellness Exams:** These are routine check-ups with a healthcare provider to maintain health and prevent illness, often covered by insurance (like Medicare Wellness Exams for seniors). 3. **Community-Based Wellness Programs:** These are programs or services designed to promote overall well-being, often through social activities, mental health support, or support for specific populations like seniors. Here's how to access different types of "wellness check" support in Alaska: ### **ALASKA WELLNESS CHECK RESOURCES** **I. Requesting a Welfare Check (Law Enforcement/Crisis Response)** If you are concerned about someone's immediate safety, mental health crisis, or if they are unresponsive and you fear they may be in danger, a welfare check by law enforcement or a crisis team is appropriate. - **For Immediate Danger or Emergency:** - **Call 911:** If you believe someone is in immediate danger, is a threat to themselves or others, or is unresponsive, call 911. Explain your concerns clearly to the dispatcher. They will dispatch police, and potentially an ambulance or a mobile crisis team, depending on the situation and location. - **For Non-Emergency Concerns (but still needing an in-person check):** - **Alaska Careline:** - **Phone:** **1-877-266-HELP (4357)** or (907) 452-4357 (Fairbanks) - **Text:** **4help to 839863** (available Tuesday-Saturday, 3 PM-11 PM AKDT) - **Purpose:** Careline is a 24/7 helpline for Alaskans experiencing crisis, isolation, or depression. You can call if you are concerned about someone else. They can provide guidance and, if appropriate, coordinate with local resources, including sometimes dispatching a wellness check if they deem it necessary. - **Local Police Department Non-Emergency Lines:** - **Anchorage Police Department:** **311** - **Fairbanks Police Department:** (907) 450-6500 - **Juneau Police Department:** (907) 586-0600 - **Alaska State Troopers (AST):** (907) 451-5100 (for areas not covered by municipal police) - **Purpose:** You can call these lines to request a welfare check if the situation is not an immediate emergency, but you have significant concerns about someone's well-being. Provide as much detail as possible (person's name, address, reason for concern, last contact, etc.). - **Mobile Crisis Teams (in some areas):** - Some communities, like Fairbanks, have Mobile Crisis Teams (MCTs) that can respond to behavioral health crises in the community. - **Fairbanks Mobile Crisis Team:** You can request the MCT by calling 911 in Fairbanks and specifying that it's a behavioral health crisis. The team includes a licensed clinician and a certified peer support specialist. - **Juneau Mobile Crisis Team:** Access by calling 911 (9 AM-6 PM daily). - **Alaska Behavioral Health (Anchorage):** While they have a 24/7 crisis line (988), their main number for services is (907) 563-1000. They can sometimes arrange for immediate crisis services at their clinics. **II. Medical/Preventative Wellness Exams (Healthcare Providers)** These are proactive health appointments, not crisis interventions. - **Your Primary Care Provider (PCP):** - Contact your regular doctor's office to schedule a "wellness exam," "annual physical," or "preventative health visit." - **Purpose:** These visits focus on overall health, screenings, vaccinations, and lifestyle counseling. If you have Medicare Part B, you're usually eligible for a free "Medicare Wellness Exam." - **Examples of Health Centers:** - **Interior Community Health Center (Fairbanks):** Offers Prevention & Wellness Exams. (907) 455-4567 - **Medical Park Family Care (Anchorage):** Offers Well-Child and Preventative Health Visits. (907) 279-8486 - **Alaska Native Medical Center (ANMC):** For Alaska Native and American Indian beneficiaries; provides primary care and wellness services. (907) 729-1500 (Internal Medicine Clinic for some students at APU). - **Specialized Clinics:** Some clinics focus specifically on women's health, men's health, or specific age groups for wellness checks. **III. Community-Based Wellness & Support Programs** These programs foster well-being through ongoing support and activities, often for specific populations. - **Aging and Disability Resource Centers (ADRCs):** - **Phone:** **1-877-625-2372** or **1-800-478-9996** - **Purpose:** These centers are a fantastic resource for seniors and individuals with disabilities. They provide information, referrals to services (like home-based care, transportation, meal programs), and can often connect seniors to social activities or programs that promote general well-being and help prevent isolation. - **Senior Centers:** - Many communities have local senior centers (e.g., Anchorage Senior Activity Center, Chugiak-Eagle River Senior Center, Fairbanks Senior Center). - **Purpose:** They offer social activities, meal programs, health screenings, fitness classes, and other programs that contribute to the overall wellness of older adults. They can be a great place for seniors to stay connected and engaged. - **NAMI Alaska (National Alliance on Mental Illness):** - **Phone:** (907) 277-1300 - **Purpose:** Offers support groups and educational programs for individuals and families affected by mental health conditions. Their peer-led groups provide a sense of community and understanding, contributing to mental wellness. - **Alaska Behavioral Health:** - **Phone:** (907) 563-1000 - **Purpose:** Offers comprehensive mental health services, including therapy and support groups, which are vital for mental wellness. - **Adult Protective Services (APS):** - **To Report Harm:** **1-800-478-9996** (in-state only) or **(907) 269-3666** - **Purpose:** While primarily for reporting abuse, neglect, or exploitation of vulnerable adults, APS's overall mission is to ensure the safety and well-being of these individuals. If concerns about a vulnerable adult's living situation or self-neglect arise, APS can investigate and connect them with necessary support services. **When to Choose Which Option:** - **Immediate Danger/Crisis:** **Call 911 or the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline immediately.** - **Urgent Concern (not immediate danger, but need someone to check):** Call the Alaska Careline or your local police/troopers non-emergency line. - **Routine Health Maintenance:** Schedule an appointment with your primary care provider. - **General Well-being & Social Support:** Contact your local ADRC, Senior Center, or mental health support organization like NAMI. - **Concerns about a Vulnerable Adult (e.g., elderly, disabled) who may be neglected or exploited:** Contact Adult Protective Services. In Alaska, if you're looking for resources related to **wellness checks**, there are a few key options to consider. Wellness checks are typically performed by law enforcement, mental health professionals, or emergency services to ensure someone’s well-being, especially in cases of concern for a person's safety or health. ### **1. Alaska State Troopers** - **Purpose**: The Alaska State Troopers can perform wellness checks in emergencies or if there are concerns for an individual's safety. - **Contact**: - **Phone**: (907) 269-5511 (Anchorage) or **Dial 911** for emergencies - **Website**: [www.dps.alaska.gov](https://www.dps.alaska.gov) - **Services**: - State Troopers can perform wellness checks when there are concerns about someone’s safety, often in cases of health emergencies, suicide risk, or missing persons. --- ### **2. Local Police Departments** - **Purpose**: City police departments can conduct wellness checks when there are concerns about someone's health or safety. - **Contact**: - **Anchorage Police Department**: (907) 786-8900 - **Fairbanks Police Department**: (907) 450-6500 - **Juneau Police Department**: (907) 586-0600 - **Website**: Look up your local police department via the city's website for more specific contacts. - **Services**: - Police will perform wellness checks for any emergency concerns, such as a possible medical issue, suicide risk, or when someone hasn't responded for a prolonged time. --- ### **3. Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority** - **Purpose**: Provides resources and programs to support mental health and well-being. In crisis situations, they can help connect individuals to local mental health services. - **Contact**: - **Phone**: (907) 269-7960 - **Website**: [www.mhtaw.org](https://www.mhtaw.org) - **Services**: - Can assist in cases where mental health or wellness is a concern, providing information and support for local services that can conduct wellness checks or interventions. --- ### **4. Alaska Careline (Crisis Intervention)** - **Purpose**: A confidential resource for anyone in emotional distress, suicide risk, or mental health crises. They can direct individuals to wellness checks if necessary. - **Contact**: - **Phone**: 1-877-266-4357 (1-877-ALK-HELP) - **Text**: 898-211 for crisis support - **Website**: [www.carelinealaska.com](https://www.carelinealaska.com) - **Services**: - They provide immediate counseling and can assist in arranging wellness checks if there are concerns for someone's well-being. --- ### **5. National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (Now 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline)** - **Purpose**: Provides 24/7 support for individuals in crisis, including those considering suicide or experiencing severe emotional distress. - **Contact**: - **Phone**: **988** (National Suicide & Crisis Lifeline) - **Website**: [www.988lifeline.org](https://www.988lifeline.org) - **Services**: - Offers mental health support and can guide family or friends on how to request a wellness check if they are concerned about someone’s safety or emotional well-being. --- ### **6. Alaska 2-1-1 (United Way of Anchorage)** - **Purpose**: Provides referrals to social services, including wellness checks for health and safety concerns. - **Contact**: - **Phone**: Dial **2-1-1** or **1-800-478-2221** (outside Anchorage) - **Text**: Text your zip code to **898-211** - **Website**: [www.alaska211.org](https://www.alaska211.org) - **Services**: - Connects individuals to a variety of services, including local agencies that can conduct wellness checks for people at risk. --- ### **7. Family and Friends Wellness Checks** - **Purpose**: If you are concerned about someone close to you, you can contact a family member, neighbor, or close friend to perform a wellness check. - **Contact**: Reach out to someone you trust who is close to the person of concern. --- ### **8. Alaska 24/7 Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Hotline** - **Purpose**: Provides crisis support and can connect you to emergency services for wellness checks, especially in cases of suspected abuse. - **Contact**: - **Phone**: 1-800-478-7312 (Statewide) - **Website**: [www.andvsa.org](https://www.andvsa.org) - **Services**: - Offers support for individuals in abusive situations and can assist in arranging a wellness check if there are concerns about someone's safety. --- These resources can help you ensure the safety and well-being of individuals in Alaska by providing various options for wellness checks. For immediate concerns, always call **911** or your local emergency services.